Latest education updates from around the world
‘Half-Life 2: RTX’ Remaster Could Mean Big Upgrades for ‘Half-Life 2’ VR
NVIDIA this week announced Half-Life 2: RTX, a community-made remaster of the legendary game featuring all-new assets, textures, and lighting. Pieces of the remaster are likely to make their way to the already existing Half-Life 2: VR Mod.
When it rains, it pours, as they say.
After years of delays, Half-Life and VR fans have been treated over the last 12 months to full VR mods of Half-Life, Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2: Episode One, and Half-Life 2: Episode Two.
And now it seems that fans are in for another treat; the Half-Life 2: VR Mod is likely to get a range of graphical upgrades […]
What is Buncee and How Does It Work?
Buncee can help educators by creating a space for varying forms of media to meet in one helpful spot
Fast Travel Games Teases Mysterious VR Multiplayer, Full Reveal Coming in September
Fast Travel Games teased a mysterious new multiplayer title today that the VR studio and publisher says we’re due to learn more about sometime next month.
The studio tweeted out a short teaser with a cryptic message, which reads: “The [redacted] have frozen time. I don’t know how it’s even possible. We need to work together to [redacted].”
T̸h̶e̵ ̶[̸r̷e̴d̴a̶c̷t̷e̸d̶]̸ ̶h̴a̶v̶e̴ ̴f̵r̷o̵z̶e̸n̵ ̵t̸i̴m̸e̵.̴ ̶I̵ ̵d̶o̷n̸’̵t̶ ̶k̵n̵o̶w̶ ̷h̸o̶w̷ ̵i̷t̴’̶s̶ ̶e̷v̴e̸n̵ ̸p̸o̶s̴s̷i̵b̷l̵e̴.̶ ̵W̸e̶ ̸n̸e̸e̶d̴ ̶t̷o̴ ̵w̷o̵r̸k̷ ̵t̴o̶g̷e̵t̷h̵e̴r̸ ̶t̶o̴ ̶[̴r̷e̶d̷a̷c̸t̸e̴d̷]̶.̴ pic.twitter.com/Jdn5nBfSfl
— Fast Travel Games Gamescom (@fasttravelgames) August 22, 2023
Fast Travel, which is known for developing Wraith: The Oblivion […]
Five Great Microsoft Forms Features for Teachers
.png){kind=link}
Most of the time I like Google Workspace tools better than the equivalent tools from Microsoft. There is one exception to that rule. That exception being forms. When it comes to making and publishing online forms, Microsoft Forms has more features that I like than Google Forms has. For example, there is nothing like the new live presentation mode in Microsoft Forms available in Google Forms.
There are other aspects of Microsoft Forms that I also like that aren’t equaled in Google Forms. Those features are demonstrated in my new video […]
Meta Shows Off Quest Hand-tracking Improvements, Claims “almost as responsive as controllers”
Apple is going all-in with hand-tracking for its upcoming Vision Pro, but can hand-tracking really replace proper VR controllers? Meta, Apple’s main competitor in the space, isn’t going so far as to make that particular claim, however the company says Quest’s recent hand-tracking improvements are now “almost as responsive as controllers” thanks to its recent v56 software update.
First announced in late July, the company’s Hands 2.2 tracking improvements are introducing what Meta says is better hand responsiveness and a few new experimental features that we’ll probably see in Quest 3.
Now rolling out […]
Is Generative AI The Most-Wanted Cyberbully?
Educators need to be aware of how generative AI is being used in cyberbullying
VR Attraction Sandbox VR Reeled in $23M Annual Revenue from Most Popular Experience
Sandbox VR, the location-based VR destination, announced that its most popular experience has generated $23 million in ticket sales in the last 12 months.
Launched in the summer of 2022, Deadwood Valley is said to be the company’s most cinematic game, letting players defend against a horde of zombies as a squad.
It’s been so successful, Sandbox VR says the experience has now surpassed $23 million in ticket sales across 30 locations, and is projected to make $100 million in lifetime sales.
All of the company’s multiplayer VR experiences have been developed by in-house gaming studios, allowing teams […]
‘Ghosts of Tabor’ Hits $3M Revenue Ahead of Debut on Main Quest Store
Passing Meta’s content review process for Quest games is an essential step to being listed on the Quest Store, although some studios choose to offer their games in beta via App Lab first, meaning they can take time to get things right before listing on the store proper. That’s what developer Combat Waffle Studios and publisher Beyond Frames Entertainment did with their hit multiplayer shooter Ghosts of Tabor, and it’s seemed to have paid off.
Released on App Lab back in March, Ghosts of Tabor is an extraction-based survival game that tosses in player-versus-environment (PVE) and player-versus-player (PVP) combat, all […]
Five Tutorials on Google Earth Basics
The start of the school year is when many of us are excited to try new and different things. If you’re looking for something new to try this year, take a look at my Around the World With Google Earth activity. It’s loosely based on The Amazing Race and it’s a fun way to introduce students to the basics of using Google Earth. If you need some help getting started with Google Earth, take a look at the tutorials that I have embedded below.
One of Meta’s Most Well-funded VR Games is Shuttering Multiplayer This Year
Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond (2020) was set to be the storied franchise’s first big push into virtual reality when it launched in late 2020, offering up some of its characteristic WWII combat missions alongside what hoped to be a robust online multiplayer. Now, less than three years since launch, EA’s Respawn Entertainment say they’re pulling the plug on multiplayer.
Arguably the best part of Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond was its online multiplayer, but that’s going to change before year’s end. The developers quietly posted this message on the game’s Quest page, appended above its original […]
Flip vs Padlet: What is the best video tool for your class
In the Flip vs Padlet battle you can find the ideal video discussion and teaching tool for your teaching needs.
How to Cultivate Strategic Partnerships
School districts and edtech solution providers need to cultivate strategic partnerships to provide the best learning opportunities for students
Best of ISTELive 2023
Tech & Learning names the best education technology tools from ISTE 2023
5 Awesome Mental Health Posters for Schools
Mental health posters for schools is the topic of our blog post today!
In our journey to foster an inclusive and nurturing educational environment, the emphasis on mental health awareness has never been more critical. The modern classroom is evolving into a space where students not only acquire academic knowledge but also learn about themselves, their emotions, and mental well-being. As someone deeply involved in educational research and technology, I’ve seen firsthand how tools like mental health posters can shape students’ experiences.
Research conducted by Dr. Marc Brackett at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence emphasizes the […]
30 Hilarious Kid Jokes about School
Kid jokes about school is the topic of our blog post today!
Laughter is more than a mere response to a witty comment or a funny joke; it’s a powerful educational tool that can transform the learning experience for children. Who hasn’t seen the spark in a student’s eyes when a lesson is peppered with humor, or watched a tough concept become more accessible through a playful analogy?
Research has repeatedly underscored the value of humor in educational settings. In his enlightening book, “Playful Teaching and Learning,” Walsh et al explore how playfulness and humor are integral […]
Lesson Plans for Setting SMART Goals This Fall
Storyboard That is a great tool that can be used for creating cartoons, flowcharts, timelines, and wireframes in addition to typical storyboards. Storyboard That also offers a huge library of lesson plans on everything from classic literature to history to cyber safety. One of those lesson plans is about helping students set and reach SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Action, Realistic, Time.
The SMART goals lesson plans are designed for use in middle school settings. Each of the five lesson plans focuses on a different aspect of the goal […]
Icebreaker Activities for Teachers
Icebreaker activities for teachers is the topic of our post today!
The first week of a new school year can feel like a whirlwind of anticipation, excitement, and, for some, a touch of nervousness. As educators, we have the beautiful responsibility to ease those first-day jitters and foster a sense of community right from the start. How do we break the ice and warm up the room? By creatively engaging with our students through activities that promote camaraderie, curiosity, and collaboration!
In this post, I’m excited to share with you 11 unique icebreakers that you can use during the […]
Keep, Books, and Canva – The Week in Review
Good morning from Maine where it’s overcast and drizzly, again. It has been that kind of summer. Nonetheless, it has been a good summer filled with fun things for me and my family (my miserable cold not withstanding). I hope that it has been a good summer (or winter) for you as well.
We have less than two weeks until school starts again. We’re making the most of it. This week I took one of my daughters for a one-on-one trip to Story Land. Next week, I’m doing the same for my other daughter. If still have […]
Have Your List Cleared by Book Creator
Earlier this week I shared a handful of ways to use Book Creator this fall. At the bottom of that blog post I mentioned Book Creator’s #clearthelist campaign. If you missed it, it’s a free opportunity to have Book Creator clear your classroom Amazon wishlist of up $500. All you have to do is enter by August 31st.
This fall Book Creator is going to clear the classroom wish lists of three teachers. You can enter here and if you win, Book Creator will clear your Amazon wish […]
Back to School Resources: Ideas, Activities, and Supplies
Back to school resources is the topic of our blog post today!
Back to school season is upon us, a time filled with anticipation, preparation, and the promise of new beginnings. As teachers, students, and parents embark on yet another exciting academic journey, having the right resources at hand can make all the difference.
Over the years, I’ve dedicated myself to researching, reviewing, and sharing tools, ideas, and products that can make this transition smoother and more enjoyable. From creative classroom decorations to carefully selected backpacks, and inspiring first-day activities to thoughtful gifts for students, I’ve covered a plethora […]
20 Effective Classroom Management Strategies
Classroom management strategies is the topic of our blog post today!
In the complex world of education, classroom management remains a topic that can always be refined and explored. This post is part of a series where I delve into various aspects of classroom management, including insightful recommendations on classroom management books, vital classroom management skills, an annotated bibliography featuring research papers on classroom management, and essential classroom management websites. Today, we’ll be examining an intricate aspect: classroom management strategies.
While my writings are backed by numerous research papers (see references), this particular […]
VR’s Perennial Mech Sim ‘Vox Machinae’ Gets More Immersive Battlefields in New Update
Vox Machinae, the cult-favorite VR mech sim that just keeps-on kickin’, has released a new update that will give players brand new conditions for battling with their hulking metal mechs.
Vox Machinae began its development journey as far back as 2014, and eventually found its way to an early access launch on PC VR in 2018. Nine years later, the team is still honing the game to be the best it can be.
Following last year’s largest-ever update for the game—which saw the simultaneous launch of a Quest 2 version and full campaign—the new and fittingly-named ‘Hostile Conditions’ […]
The 20 Best Rated & Most Popular Quest Games & Apps – August 2023
While Oculus doesn’t offer much publicly in the way of understanding how well individual games & apps are performing across its Quest 2 storefront, it’s possible to glean some insight by looking at apps relative to each other. Here’s a snapshot of the 20 best rated Oculus Quest games and apps as of August 2023.
Some quick qualifications before we get to the data:
Paid and free apps are separated
Only apps with more than 100 reviews are represented
App Lab apps are not represented (see our latest Quest App Lab report)
Rounded ratings may appear to show ‘ties’ […]
Google Classroom Overview for Parents
Last Friday I published a video in which I demonstrated the teacher view and student view of Google Classroom. A lot of people replied to ask if I had a similar one about the parent view of Google Classroom. I didn’t have one, but I was happy to refer people to this section of Sam Cary’s video How to Use Google Classroom for Parents.
The whole video gives a complete walk-through of Google Classroom. The part that most teachers will care about is toward the end beginning around […]
How to integrate a computer science curriculum into K-5 classrooms
Key points:
Although a majority of teachers believe computer science education is critical, the subject isn’t required–or even offered–nationwide
Introducing computer science at an early age equips students with the skills and confidence to be curious in STEAM learning
See related article: 4 resources to differentiate computer science instruction
“I love it so much I would do it every day if we could!” These words are music to any teacher’s ears and I’m lucky enough to hear this sentiment from my students often. Since introducing a new computer science curriculum in 2019, my students at Redlands Unified School District […]